article by: Brad FriedMore than two dozen students braved 32-degree cold this Sunday for the launch of NYU’s bike-share program. The ride took them down Second Avenue and over the Manhattan Bridge to see some of Brooklyn’s new bike lanes.

The NYU system consists of 30 bikes and two stations — a dorm at 7th street and a bike parking lot behind Tisch Hall. Lindsi Seegmiller, the student who coordinated much of the program, says she got the bikes almost-new from Hub Station, which used them for free rentals during Summer Streets. To borrow one, students or faculty make a reservation online. Then at the station they swipe their NYU ID, opening a cabinet that holds the key to a chain lock attached to the bike they reserved.

In May, Seegmiller told Streetsblog that she hopes the program will expand and get the University, which runs its own bus service, to think more about biking.

Count up-and-coming livable streets advocates like Seegmiller as one reason to be thankful this year. What’s on your “I’m thankful for/I’d be more thankful if” list? Enjoy the holiday, we’ll see you Monday.

Financial times are tough for many, but through the power of community, we CAN make a difference.

A holiday bike ride to collect toys and warm clothing for families in need. Benefits Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services

Saturday December 13, 2008 :: 11:00 AM
Meet at Mission Gold Line Station in South Pasadena
905 Meridian Av., South Pasadena 91030

Bring a new unwrapped toy or article of warm clothing. Donated gifts will support Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services.

Come dressed in your finest holiday duds with decorated bicycles and get a chance to win fabulous prizes!

Holiday tunes played from C.I.C.L.E.â€™s on-board sound system will fill the air as we wind through scenic South Pasadena on a short five-mile ride that will make stops at pre-placed collection boxes to retrieve donations with cargo bikes and bike trailers.

People that cannot attend the ride may deliver their donation(s) to these participating merchants through December 12.

This ride is part of C.I.C.L.E.â€™s Urban Expeditions ride series, and is a great way for the beginning or novice cyclist to experience all of the joys of city bicycling in a relaxed and carefree environment. Participants 18 and younger are required to wear a helmet and must be escorted by a parent or guardian. Children 9 and younger should be on a tag-a-long, bike trailer, tandem, or other safe child-carrying device. This ride is free to all, and fully supported. For more information call 323.478.0060.

The law lords throw out what they saw as an attempt by Scotland Yard to ban a monthly bike-ride through the streets of London.

By Joshua Rozenberg
Last Updated: 12:01PM GMT 26 Nov 2008

There is no need for the organizers of a mass cycle ride to give the police notice of their planned destination when there are no organizers and the destination is unplanned, the law lords ruled today.

Englandâ€™s highest court allowed an appeal by Desmond Kay, an environmental educator and performing artist who is a regular participant in the monthly Critical Mass Cycle Ride. For the background, see my earlier report here.

Michael Fordham QC, for Mr Kay, had challenged a ruling by the Court of Appeal that would have allowed the Metropolitan Police to ban the ride, as one of the law lords put it. Lord Brown said he had referred to it as a ban even though the police said they wanted only to know where the riders would be going.

Friday, November 28th, is the the Buy Nothing Day Dance Party in Union Square followed by
the Critical Mass Bike Ride all over the WORLD!!

Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year…but seeing as we gave Wall Street the biggest present of them all, bailing them out for stealing all our money…I say we BUY NOTHING.

Well its been hard to update this blog with Junior in my arms. Trying to learn how to type with one hand is a whole new skill set. I barely have time to sleep…nah, I don’t have time for that either. So I’ll be looking at the other blogs for now.

Just to keep something going:
John Dinn over at Les DemonCats, in D.C.
was going through his spoke card collection the other day and compiled this list of his favorite alleycats…
recognize any of these?